Mech Games Return in a Big Way in 2012

This year will be a fantastic year for fans of Mech-based gaming. I don’t know what exactly is going on with this – but 2012 appears to be the year to stomp heavy, jetpack, and eject from your nearly dead mech. Over the course of just a few months we have had a metric tonne of announcements regarding Mech games, which is going full throttle on the revival. I am a huge fan of the FASA series of MechWarrior (based on BattleTech of course), starting with MechWarrior 2 and played up through MechWarrior 4. When the original Xbox came out, I ended up playing MechAssault and found it a bit casual, but a bit of fun as well. That was around 2003 or 2004 when MechAssault 2 came out, FASA disbanded and no true Mech games have come out since.

I have listed the ones announced, unannounced, or at least hinted at in order:

MechWarrior Online

Originally announced in 2009, simply titled “MechWarrior” in a teaser trailer from Piranha Games was a reboot for the series taking place before MechWarrior 1. Now, it’s going to be a Free-2-Play multiplayer game for PC and will be coming out this year (sometime).

Hawken

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/iVa7B1bLv8I]

While not based on BattleTech or set in the MechWarrior Universe, is worth a mention due to it’s amazing graphics and it too being a Free-2-Play model with a definitive release date of 12/12/12 (for now). As it stands, it currently will only be for PC, but it seems like other systems are in Adhesive Games’ mind. Four game modes are talked about, but only two of them are known – the standards: Team Deathmatch and Free-for-All, the others will be unique to the game.

MechWarrior Tactics

It’s the year 3025. Hostile enemy lances are closing in all around you. As Commander of an elite mercenary company, it’s up to you to ensure swift victory and make your enemies pay dearly. Your Mech Bay hosts a vast array of custom Mechs, each configured for a specific combat role. Choose wisely which Mechs to take into battle: your future as the leader of your lances depends on it.

MechWarrior Tactics™ is a brand-new MechWarrior game set in the BattleTech® universe and includes everything you love about MechWarrior. MechWarrior Tactics is the latest evolution of turn-based strategy and blends tactical gameplay, deep collectability, and unique online features, and is set against visually stunning environments for the supreme MechWarrior battle experience. Players earn, collect, and purchase combat and aesthetic resources to outfit each Mech and prepare for the next online battle.

Game features:

• Collect, Customize, Command:

Earn Experience and new resources as you advance your level through gameplay

Upgrade and customize your Mechs in your Mech Bay

Make the most of each Mech’s unique configuration for total battlefield domination

• Customizable Mechs – seamless store integration means never having to leave the game to purchase and equip new resources for your next mission
• Asynchronous Combat: Multiple concurrent battles with players from around the world
• Competitive ranked games and global leaderboards lets the world know you’re in charge. Play for a chance to win larger, more meaningful reward payouts
• Watch and share your completed battle using a unique cinematic replay feature

MechWarrior Tactics will be available in 2012. More information about MechWarrior Tactics can be found at www.mwtactics.com.

Not much is known yet, as we’ll get a true reveal on Monday. Given the title of the game, and the type of name you can register (a Commander), it seems it may either be a turn-based or real-time strategy game based in the MechWarrior universe, similar to MechCommander I would assume – but nothing defined yet.

Reign of Thunder MechAssault 3 (?)

Day 1 Studios has revealed their “MechAssault” game, and as a commentor detailed – it is a Microsoft property, so Day 1 Studios is going with Reign of Thunder. It looks like absolute free-to-play chaos.

While not officially announced yet by Day 1 Studios, they were behind both the Xbox original games: MechAssault and MechAssault 2. Given the teaser we’re seeing, it’s pretty clear it’s a mech game, and if it’s NOT MechAssault 3 – i’d be really curious what it is. So as of yet, there is no site to sign-up as it’ll likely be an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game (possibly PC too).

So we went from no Mech games this generation (console and PC), with the exceptions of Chromehounds (From Software), Armored Core (From Software) series, and Front Mission (Square Enix) series to 4 games, and we may not be done yet. I will update this post as information evolves in regards to Mech games.